Charles Pelkey began practicing law as a second career after he graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2009 with his Juris Doctorate. Before this he’d spent the previous 25 years in journalism, covering news, education, sports and politics.
Charles embarked on his journalism career by working for Wyoming Public Radio and Casper Star Tribune. It was with great excitement that he eventually accepted an invitation to work on Capitol Hill, serving as press secretary to former U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson.
Journalism Followed by Politics & Law
It was after serving a term as a press secretary that Charles accepted an editorial position at the cycling magazine Velo News. During his 17 year stint at at Velo News he regularly covered major events such as the Tour De France, Girio d’Italia, and the Vuelta De Espana. Charles is an expert in the field of performance enhancing drugs. While at Velo News he frequently reported on and followed the evolution in the body of law involving the World Anti-Doping Agency and World Anti-Doping Code. Consequently, he attended the agency’s founding conference in Switzerland. Because of this, Charles has frequently appeared as a guest speaker. Appearing on NPR, the BBC, MSNBC, ESPN and CBS to discuss the topic and how the law applies to individual cases.
Representative Pelkey
In 2014 while functioning as an attorney at NPG, Charles served three terms as a Wyoming State Legislator for the Democratic Party. Simultaneously securing the position of House Minority Whip. During this time Charles sponsored and cosponsored several bills aimed towards criminal justice reform. Of note, Charles has also been a long time proponent for the decriminalization of marijuana.
In 2018 Charles received an award from the Innocence Project . This award was presented to him for the work he had done on House Bill 26, a Post-Conviction Factual Innocence bill. The bill, later signed into law, is dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions in Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. Likewise, that same year he was also awarded the 9th Annual Peace Award for leadership in policy by the Wyo. Coalition of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
Charles continues to dedicate himself to his primary legal interests in criminal law, family law, personal injury and sports law. He resides in Laramie with his wife, Diana Denison. The two enjoy spending time with their adult children, Philip and Annika.
Contact Us
cpelkey@laramielawyers.com
307-745-3031
410 E. Grand Ave, Suite 103
Laramie, WY 82070
